Teacher known for her jewelry

August 23, 2007|From staff reports

Pieces on display at Dacotah Prairie Museum "Fun-Fancy-Fabulous! Fashionable Accessories from the Esther Decker Collection" is the title of a show running at the Dacotah Prairie Museum. According to the museum, the show features “the beautiful jewelry and accessories that defined their owner, Esther Decker, a retired elementary teacher.” Nearly 400 pieces of jewelry and the hats, gloves, handbags, eyewear, and shoes comprising Decker's accessory wardrobe fill the Lamont Gallery and several cases on the Museum's second floor landing until Oct. 20. According to the museum, “For as long as she can remember, Esther has enjoyed finding unique pieces of jewelry to complement both her professional and social wardrobes. She chose brightly colored, whimsical pieces to engage the imaginations of her fifth-grade students and high quality gemstone, gold and silver pieces for more formal occasions. Esther has amassed a wonderful collection of jewelry, although is the first to say she's not a collector in the traditional sense. She isn't always searching for a new piece as 'collectors' do, but she does add pieces when she finds something that she would enjoy wearing.” Over the past few years, Decker has donated most of her accessories to the Dacotah Prairie Museum, where she feels it will be enjoyed in various ways - either in exhibits or programs. Esther Schmidt was born and raised in North Dakota. After graduating from high school, she attended the State Normal and Industrial School in Ellendale (a branch of the University of North Dakota) to attain a teaching certificate. After several years of teaching, she returned to college and received her bachelor of science in education degree from what is now Northern State University. She began her teaching career in Ashley, N.D., and for the next 38 years taught in schools in Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota. In 1956 she began teaching fifth grade at Henry Neill School in Aberdeen and retired from that position in 1985 when her health forced her to give up her beloved classroom. She met her husband, Eugene Decker, when returning home to North Dakota after spending a summer in California during World War II. He was on leave from the Navy, and boarding the same eastbound train as Esther. After a two-year courtship, the couple married in San Francisco on June 12, 1945. Upon Eugene's discharge from the Navy in 1946, they moved to Aberdeen to establish their home. Eugene passed away in 1991; Esther continues to reside in the city. During their time in the community, both Esther and Eugene were involved in many community clubs and organizations. Esther is a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she is active in the Altar Guild. She also shared her time and interest with the American Association of University Women, the South Dakota Education Association and the Retired Teachers. She is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Honorary Society. The museum's galleries are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome to view this beautiful display of jewelry and accessories.